Jacobs looking to make most out of senior year

Friday

Sep 6, 2013 at 9:48 AM

There are moments when Damien Jacobs takes a seat and looks around at his surroundings in the University of Florida football locker room.It is a long way from home for the Gibson native and former H.L. Bourgeois football standout, but he said playing for one of the nation’s top college football programs is something that puts a smile on his face everyday.

Chris SingletonStaff Writer

There are moments when Damien Jacobs takes a seat and looks around at his surroundings in the University of Florida football locker room.It is a long way from home for the Gibson native and former H.L. Bourgeois football standout, but he said playing for one of the nation’s top college football programs is something that puts a smile on his face everyday. “I really sit back at times and say ‘Wow, I really play for Florida,’” Jacobs said. “It is a special thing. When I sit back and look around, I see how blessed I’ve been for the opportunities that a lot of people never had or will have, so I take advantage of it. It’s a real good thing. I’m glad I was blessed for this opportunity.”After spending the first two years playing football at East Mississippi Community College, Jacobs joined the Gators last year as a junior, recording 10 tackles with 2.5 sacks in 12 games. The Gators had a 11-2 record, which included a loss to Louisville in the AllState Sugar Bowl in New Orleans last season.Now in his senior season, Jacobs said he is motivated to improve on all of those experiences. “Just getting that first year under my belt last year was good,” Jacobs said. “I’m better off right now. I feel great out there with my teammates. I don’t feel like a newcomer anymore.”Jacobs’ senior season got off to a frustrating start when he suffered a knee injury during fall camp practices. It caused him to miss 2-3 weeks of practices, but he returned in time to get limited action during the Gators’ 24-6 season opening win over Toledo last week.The 6-foot-3, 285-pound Jacobs said he continues to improve from the injury, and he expects more action when the Gators play the University of Miami-Florida at noon Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla. The game will be televised on ESPN. Florida is ranked No. 12 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll. “It’s going pretty good,” Jacobs said. “I’m recovering real good from my injury. I was limited last week, and this week, I’ve been getting more and more reps in, so I’m excited about that and my rehab process.”Jacobs is expecting to be a key player along Florida’s defensive line this year, especially after the team lost two of its top starting tackles in Sharrif Floyd and Omar Hunter off of one of the nation’s top defenses last season. Jacobs said he has worked hard all season to fill the void, and he is ready for his chance to lead the Gators defensive line.“Last year I got to play behind some great players in Sharrif and Omar,” Jacobs said. “Those guys kind of showed me the ropes. It was a great experience from getting to learn from players like that.”The Gators defense also lost standouts such as linebacker Jon Bostic of the Chicago Bears and safety Matt Elam of the Baltimore Ravens to the NFL this year, but Jacobs believes they still have the weapons to field a good unit this season. “We are a very dangerous football team,” Jacobs said. “We’re a very angry football team because of the lack of respect that we’re getting. People are saying we can’t replace some of the guys we lost. We had some players now that played quality minutes last year. We have talent in every position. We feel like this defense could be better than last year’s. I think if we can continue to get better on offense, we can go as far as we want to go with it.” Florida is known for sending players to the NFL, and Jacobs said he wants to play well enough this season to become one of the next Gators to get drafted. “The college experience is good, but I’m interested to see what the next stop in my life is,” Jacobs said. “I want to see the next thing God has in store for me. I’m going to enjoy this last year to the fullest because I know after this, I’ll never get it back, but I’m going to play every game like it’s my last. No matter what the end result is, I’ll be satisfied and ready to move on to the next thing in life.”Joe Riley, who coached Jacobs at H.L. Bourgeois, said his former player has the potential to play on Sundays.“He’s is a great kid. He’s got a tremendous opportunity in front of him this year,” Riley said. “I’m hoping he has the breakout year that he needs. I hope he gets that opportunity to show everybody that he can play on Sundays. He’s in the right situation and in one of the right programs. I’m expecting big things out of him. If he stays healthy, he’ll get a chance to play at the next level.” Local NFL analyst Mike Detillier said Jacobs is a potential late-round selection (sixth or seventh round pick) in the 2014 draft. “I really like his size, size potential and his athleticism for a big man,” Detillier said. “He can run the field well, and he has superb closing speed for an interior player. The biggest knock on him was always consistency. I want to see that from him and be a really stout run defender and a player that can push the inside pocket week in and week out. I really like his athletic skills and foot speed for a big man. With Floyd in the NFL early and Hunter graduating, this blows open the door for Jacobs to step up his play in 2013.”Before he completely focuses on the future, Jacobs said he is working on the task at hand — helping Florida win a SEC championship and a national title. The Gators’ schedule this season includes games at Tennessee (Sept. 21), at LSU (Oct. 12), vs. Georgia (Nov. 2), at South Carolina (Nov. 16) and vs. Florida State (Nov. 30). Jacobs said the Gators have had the bad taste of the Louisville loss in their mouths all offseason, and they are determined to bounce back from it. “It doesn’t matter who it is. We can play against anybody,” Jacobs said. “We want to go out there and play like it’s the No. 1 team in the country every week. That’s our goal. I think that Louisville loss actually a blessing in disguise because I don’t think we’ll let something like that happen again.”Jacobs, the son of Verlin Jacobs and Clara Perkins, is close to graduating with a degree in criminal justice, and he said he wouldn’t be where he is today without their support.“I’m thankful for all my family and friends,” Jacobs said. “A lot of people back home have been sticking by me and supporting me and making sure I’m in the best position to achieve the things that I want. I’d like to thank them for their continued support.”